John Kilchman
[Translation.]
Dear Sir: The sad news lately come across the ocean that Abraham Lincoln, President of the North American Union, and now regarded as one of the greatest men who ever lived upon this earth, was ruthlessly struck down by the bloody hand of an assassin, has filled the whole world with indignation and grief.
England’s proud Queen condescended to give her cordial sympathy in a writing of her own hand, to the afflicted widow of the worthy republican; and the governments of the highest monarchs of the world sent their sympathies and solemn well-wishes to the democratic land. It is very natural, then, that the message of sad news from America should have been felt in free Switzerland, and caused our patriotic hearts to beat in sympathy with those of a sister republic, bound to us by the closest ties of warmest friendship and similarity of institutions. America and Helvetia, may they ever bear the same relations to each other as now. We have seen the glorious American colors floating at a glorious festival in our land, (the feast of Freeshooters at Lucerne, the 7th day of July, 1853;) we know the beauty of the stars and stripes, and let us wish them success wherever they may wave, in whatever battle they may be tried.
When the first news of the horrible assassination of the greatest man in America reached us, we were overwhelmed, and felt as if the country was ruined, but when we reflected it might be the inscrutable orders of Divine Providence to give us a lasting monument of a free country we felt resigned to fate.
I have not thought proper to wait till a public meeting should be called in Lucerne, but I have given expression to my feelings now, and send you the sheet that you may insert it in the Bund, and add my name to the address when it is brought up.
Accept the assurances of my distinguished consideration.
To Mr. F. Gengel,
Editor of the Bund, in Berne.